House Fire on South Chester Avenue

On Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 9:47 a.m., the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center dispatched the Park Ridge Fire Department to a report of a house fire in the 100 block of South Chester Avenue. Multiple 9-1-1 callers had reported the fire at the rear of the home, at the intersection of Chester and Garden Street. The Fire Department was on the scene in less than four minutes. Upon arrival of the companies, the Incident Commander reported a two story, single-family residence with smoke showing on the first floor and heavy fire coming from a covered porch in the rear of the house. Crews stretched hose lines to the rear porch of the house to initiate fire attack while other crews went in to the structure to perform primary search of the structure. Crews were assigned to search, rescue and also to secure the utilities. Crews encountered one frozen fire hydrant in their efforts to establish a positive water supply. At this time, the Incident Commander escalated the alarm to a Code 4, working structure fire response.

Two adult males, later determined to be contractors, were standing outside near the front of the home when fire crews arrived. They were assessed and treated by separate mutual aid ambulances. One worker was transported to Lutheran General Hospital. The other worker was further evaluated and refused transportation to the hospital.

Once the primary and secondary searches were completed, crews were assigned to overhaul and ventilate. Crews continued with overhaul trying to locate any hidden fire in the walls and ceilings. Crews on the second floor found an area with fire in the wall and were able to extinguish the fire with a water can. Additionally, fire that was up in the attic area and ceilings was extinguished by pulling the ceilings in those areas. The fire was extinguished at 10:20 a.m. Two sprinkler heads had activated keeping the fire from going further into the house. There was fire damage to the rear of the home, and smoke and water damage throughout the home. Once all fire activities were completed, the home was turned back over to the owners.

The fire loss is estimated to be approximately $100,000. Park Ridge Fire Investigators are continuing their investigation of the cause of the fire.

The Park Ridge Fire Department was assisted at the scene by companies from Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Rosemont Fire Departments, as well as the North Maine and Norwood Park Fire Protection Districts. Companies from the Des Plaines, Elk Grove, Glenview, and Wheeling Fire Departments, filled in at Park Ridge fire stations and covered subsequent emergency calls.